With a busy weekend of sport ahead, the ScotRail Alliance has announced it is adding extra carriages to as many trains as possible – unlikely that any will be steam, though – to services to keep customers moving.
Scotland play their final Autumn Test against Australia on Saturday, 25 November (KO 2.30pm) at the BT Murrayfield Stadium, while Motherwell take on Celtic in the Betfred Cup final at Hampden Park (KO 3pm) on Sunday, 26 November.
On Saturday, trains to and from Edinburgh will be extremely busy with customers enjoying the Christmas markets and fans watching the rugby. The ScotRail Alliance has added extra carriages to trains between Edinburgh and the Borders, Fife, Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Dunblane. Supporters heading to the match are advised to allow additional time for travel, as queuing systems will be in place after the final whistle.
Customers travelling to Hampden Park for the League Cup final on Sunday will benefit from extra carriages on services to Mount Florida and Kings Park – the closest stations to the ground. Motherwell fans should travel to Mount Florida, while Celtic supporters will be directed to Kings Park. The most regular trains to Mount Florida depart from Glasgow Central station.
Extra staff will be on hand to assist customers and, as with most large events, alcohol bans will be in force on both days.
ScotRail Alliance Head of Customer Experience, Graham Heald said: “We’ve got a massive weekend of sport coming up. Scotland will be looking to sign off the Autumn Tests on Saturday with a win, while the first silverware of the football season is decided at Hampden on Sunday.
“While trains will be extremely busy on both days, we’ve done everything we can to boost the number of available seats for travelling fans and regular customers. We’re adding as many trains as possible to services this weekend to keep people moving.
“From next year, fans travelling to the games will benefit from more seats and faster journeys on our brand new electric Class 385 and high-speed trains.
“I encourage anyone travelling this weekend to allow extra time for travel, and to minimise the need to queue, buy tickets in advance via our app or website.”
Image courtesy of Jackie MacKenzie (Linlithgow Camera Club)
